Who here knows how to use a slide rule?

[one_cat]

My how things change. I found this description on an ebay notice of someone selling a slide rule:

I AM NOT SURE WHAT THIS IS USED FOR BUT THE CENTER SECTION SLIDES OUT, IT HAS A CLEAR WINDOW THAT MOVES ACROSS THE RULE. THE WINDOW MOUNTS DO HAVE A COUPLE OF SMALL CRACKS. IT COMES IN A NICE CASE MARKED K $ E.

Slide rules were out of date by the time I was in school but we had a couple around the house and my parents spent some time teaching me how to use them. It's definitely a skill that gets rusty if you don't use it - I wouldn't have a clue now.

 

[Boots]

I knew how to use one once upon a time. I doubt if I could now though!

 

[Meriweather]

Used to know
DH does still know how.
We have a 7 foot one in the basement

 

[Fire14]

i know what they are does that count?

 

[Lanshark]

My degree is in Computer Technology. I started College in 1978 and I had 1 prof. who insisted that we know how to use one. Of course I switched to a calculator as soon as that class was over.

 

[PKK/MJK]

There was a time when I was quite adept at using a slide rule--but that was a loooooong time ago!! I'd have no idea how to use it now .

 

[fklhou]

I used to compete in High School in slide rule events. This event has now been discountinued and replaced by calculator contests.

 

[Towncrier]

I still have my slide rule from college along with the nifty leatherette case that I could attach to a belt loop. During my first year at engineering school, calculators were not allowed during exams. You had to use a slide rule. By my sophomore year, you had to have a calculator. I still have my first calculator too. It was an HP-45 and it cost HUNDREDS of dollars.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Towncrier, I knew you must be about my age. I learned slide rule in high school. My dad was a civil engineer and used one at work so he had already taught me. In college, people started using calculators but you couldn't use them on exams because they were afraid you would pass them around with the answer in the display.

I think I could still use one for square roots and mutiplying and dividing.

 

[Serena]

LOL, I have no clue.